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| Hyssopus officinalis, a prominent autumn-flowering plant of the Mediterranean region, but a quite localised species in the area of Trieste, distributed on some localities along the Karst edge. Here photographed on the rocky cliffs of Monte Grisa, near Trieste. In the background, the Adriatic sea (Gulf of Trieste) with Miramare's castle visible along the coast. |
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| Colias croceus on Hyssopus officinalis, Monte Grisa, Trieste. A few Alpine Swifts Apus melba are still present around their nesting cliffs in the company of some noisy Sardinian Warblers Sylvia melanocephala in the evergreen bushes - making up a typical Med scene. |
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| Horn-nosed Viper Vipera ammodytes at the Carsiana botanical garden. In the past week I "discovered" another two vipers, so at least 3 individuals present in the garden. They are quite showy. I presume the above is a male ("V" shape on the head). |
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| Campanula pyramidalis, Monte Grisa, Trieste. Probably the most prominent flower of sunny, rocky cliffs at this time of year. Common on the Karst, but especially along the Adriatic coast. |
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| Kontovel with part of the Trieste's coast, with the town of Monfalcone in the back. Part of the river Isonzo/Soča estuary is visible to the left (sandy line on the sea). |
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| Flock of Yelkouan Shearwaters Puffinus yelkouan flying on a windy day, on the sea near Trieste. Our typical north-easterly wind burja/bora brought nice numbers of these close to coast recently. I've seen flocks of up to 140 individuals from home on several occasions in the past weeks. |
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| Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca, Carsiana botanical garden, Trieste. One of the many that passed through in the last week. |
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| Common Redstart Phoenicururs phoenicurus at Carsiana. Quite good passage of migrants recently, including: Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis, Siskin Carduelis spinus and Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava flying overhead on a regular basis, Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca, Firecrest Regulus ignicapillus, Goldcrest R. regulus and Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus in the trees and some welcome residents like Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos minor and singing (!) Cirl Bunting Emberiza cirlus. |
